From the Research
Partially sacralized L5 refers to a congenital anomaly where the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) has partially fused with the sacrum, which can affect spinal mobility and may be a contributing factor in evaluating causes of lower back pain. This condition occurs during development when there is incomplete separation between the lowest lumbar vertebra and the sacrum, as studied in a retrospective study published in the Polish journal of radiology 1. The study found that sacralization of the L5 vertebra is associated with facet orientation and tropism but not degenerative changes of the lumbar vertebrae, which is important to consider when evaluating patients with lower back pain. Some key points to consider about partially sacralized L5 include:
- It's a common anatomical variant, affecting approximately 4-8% of the population
- It may be asymptomatic in many individuals, requiring no treatment
- Some people experience low back pain, altered biomechanics, or nerve compression symptoms
- Treatment typically involves conservative approaches such as physical therapy, pain management, and anti-inflammatory medications
- The condition is diagnosed through imaging studies like X-rays, CT scans, or MRI, as described in a comprehensive review of spine trauma imaging published in Seminars in ultrasound, CT, and MR 2. Understanding this anatomical variation is crucial because it can impact spinal mobility and may be a contributing factor in evaluating causes of lower back pain, especially in cases where standard treatments aren't effective.